price of large squares.

[curlyoak]

at woodpecker a 6" square is $100. a 12 x 18 is $500. How much more time and material is in the large one? Not just woodpecker. Maybe there is something I am missing. It just does not feel right. Tell me what do you think?

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

On 9/11/2025 at 9:18 AM, curlyoak said:

at woodpecker a 6" square is $100. a 12 x 18 is $500. How much more time and material is in the large one? Not just woodpecker. Maybe there is something I am missing. It just does not feel right. Tell me what do you think?

I can only offer you this much. 

I bought that $100 6" WP square several years ago, thinking that i needed a " reference square". 

Several years later, i realize it was wasted money as i use combination squares most of the time. 

As to the bigger ones, i think its more difficult for them to guarantee square across a longer span, so as the size goes up, so does the cost. I can't see myself ever paying that much for a square.

[Von]

On 9/11/2025 at 10:18 AM, curlyoak said:

at woodpecker a 6" square is $100. a 12 x 18 is $500. How much more time and material is in the large one? Not just woodpecker. Maybe there is something I am missing. It just does not feel right. Tell me what do you think?

When I look at their website, for $500 you get an 18x12 AND a 26x16. The 12x18 alone is $220.

Edited to add: I have a 26x16 and I use it for squaring my track saw cuts for plywood. I find it's worth it for that. YMMV.

 

[drzaius]

Several years ago I got a precision Japanese framing square from Lee Valley. It's dead accurate and was less than $100.

[legenddc]

The Woodpeckers 12x18 is $219, not $500. Looking at Woodcraft I see a Jessem 12" right next to an 8" Woodpeckers and both are $109.

I have a red aluminum, made in USA square but it's a Milwaukee framing square from Home Depot.

Please share if you find a more reasonably priced alternative.

[curlyoak]

I paid 175 2 years ago. Now 220. But the price goes up maybe because of terriffs. but the difference in size and the and price are not logical. I am glad I bought the 1812. I get a lot of use.

 

[curlyoak]

YMMV is an internet initialism for "Your Mileage May Vary," used as a disclaimer to suggest that someone's personal experience, opinion, or outcome may be different from another's due to differing circumstances, preferences, or variables. It originated from automotive advertising, where "your mileage may vary" was disclaimed on gas mileage figures, but has since been generalized to acknowledge that not everyone will have the same results or experiences as the speaker. 

On 9/11/2025 at 1:28 PM, Von said:

YMMV.

I now know a little more. I run on high test and get good milage!

[Von]

On 9/11/2025 at 2:21 PM, curlyoak said:

... but the difference in size and the and price are not logical.

I don't believe it is required that capitalism be logical :-)

More seriously, echoing Ron, it would not surprise me if the cost of precision does not scale linearly. Bigger is harder.

[fcschoenthal]

I got the 1281 for $100 (now $140) a little over 4 years ago and the 2616 over 3 years ago for $200 (now $289). Interesting part is that I could probably sell them for what I paid. They both have the mounting board (even though it's MDF) instead of the Rack-it.

I use the 8x12 frequently to check square on larger things and like Von, used the 16x26 primarily for the track saw before I got a rail square guide. I have used them both when laying out larger pieces.

As far as the price goes, China wasn't making such great tools back then. I'm thinking about getting a t-square and it definitely won't be from WP. There are too many options that are just as accurate at a fraction of the cost. Another reason that sometimes it's hard to buy American.

[Coop]

I guess I’m just too old fashion. For me to own a $250 square would be like buying a Ferrari sf90 to drive in downtown traffic. 

[Tpt life]

I think this has a buy once, cry once appeal to it. If I had built my shop, unmarried in my twenties, I would have more Ferrari type tools. Since I married so young, I have fewer….and since you are a little past me Coop, I expect you’d have fewer. The longer you work, or the greater the need for efficiency, the more you might seek certain kinds of tools that others do not. That’s not even touching aesthetics or amount of discretionary budget. 
 

I’m in that place thinking about houses for sale. Prices go up when interest rates are down, but go down when rates are up. That’s because salaries are more stable than rates, so the end monthly payment controls affordability. My point? At some point red tools get made here, or go out of business, if tariffs last. That cost becomes too great for 50% of whom they used to sell to. If you think they have value, beware. If you don’t, that does not surprise me either. Wha

[Von]

On 9/11/2025 at 9:46 PM, Coop said:

...would be like buying a Ferrari sf90 to drive in downtown traffic. 

Kinda sounds like fun. I wouldn't buy a Ferrari for this but I sure as heck would rent one :-)

[gee-dub]

No expert and we all like different stuff . . . I have a couple of framing squares; one marked for inside and one marked for outside.  I used the steel punch method to square them myself many years ago.  I also hove 4" and 6" double squares from PEC (these are the folks that make badged squares for Woodcraft and Lee Valley).  PEC format fits the standard Starrett form factor.  I bought a "seconds" (you could never tell) 24" blade for my Starrett combo square.  It was about $40 at the time but you have to watch for availability on seconds. This meets a lot of my needs for when a typical framing square will not do.

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

On 9/13/2025 at 7:48 AM, gee-dub said:

No expert and we all like different stuff . . . I have a couple of framing squares; one marked for inside and one marked for outside.  I used the steel punch method to square them myself many years ago.  I also hove 4" and 6" double squares from PEC (these are the folks that make badged squares for Woodcraft and Lee Valley).  PEC format fits the standard Starrett form factor.  I bought a "seconds" (you could never tell) 24" blade for my Starrett combo square.  It was about $40 at the time but you have to watch for availability on seconds. This meets a lot of my needs for when a typical framing square will not do.

@gee-dub your organization skills are second to none. Though i fear you'll never know the great pleasure of wasting half your day looking for a tool that you "know is around here somewhere"

[gee-dub]

On 9/13/2025 at 5:57 AM, Ron Swanson Jr. said:

@gee-dub your organization skills are second to none. Though i fear you'll never know the great pleasure of wasting half your day looking for a tool that you "know is around here somewhere"

Oh my gosh. . . Talk about my hot button. This is why I have a spreadsheet that tracks my outbuildings, my shop, and most of my house. I have a strong belief that having something, but not knowing where it is is the same as not having it. The next time you find it, keep track of it or throw it away. Apologies, I have a bit of a black-and-white viewpoint on certain things in my life… :-)

 

[legenddc]

On 9/13/2025 at 8:48 AM, gee-dub said:

No expert and we all like different stuff . . . I have a couple of framing squares; one marked for inside and one marked for outside.  I used the steel punch method to square them myself many years ago.  I also hove 4" and 6" double squares from PEC (these are the folks that make badged squares for Woodcraft and Lee Valley).  PEC format fits the standard Starrett form factor.  I bought a "seconds" (you could never tell) 24" blade for my Starrett combo square.  It was about $40 at the time but you have to watch for availability on seconds. This meets a lot of my needs for when a typical framing square will not do.

All of my combination squares are PEC seconds from Harry J Epstein. The only "issue" I have noticed on the three that I have is PEC is scratched out on one. Everything else looks great. Now that you mention it, I should get a larger one.

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

That's an interesting video with the steel punch method. Learned something new today, thanks @gee-dub

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

On 9/13/2025 at 8:34 AM, gee-dub said:

Oh my gosh. . . Talk about my hot button. This is why I have a spreadsheet that tracks my outbuildings, my shop, and most of my house. I have a strong belief that having something, but not knowing where it is is the same as not having it. The next time you find it, keep track of it or throw it away. Apologies, I have a bit of a black-and-white viewpoint on certain things in my life… :-)

 

This seemingly light-hearted conversation about organization got lodged in my head and just won't leave. 

I spent the morning reading through Mike Pekovich book The How's and Why's of Woodworking. 

He goes into detail about how important the little, less pleasant tasks like sweeping up or emptying the dust collector are really just as important as any other tasks in the craft. That has me looking around noticing the abysmal state of certain areas of my shop. 

The upshot is that i think my next couple projects are going to be for the shop. 

I need to make better use of my space and better organized. 

Dang that's a good book. 

[Von]

On 9/21/2025 at 11:16 AM, Ron Swanson Jr. said:

The upshot is that i think my next couple projects are going to be for the shop. 

Careful, it's addictive :-)

In all seriousness, I decided the more pleasant a place my shop is to work in, the more I enjoy woodworking, which in my case, as a hobbyist, is my goal (rather than production of any amount of product). As I suspect can be judged from my posts, I have no problem spending time on my shop.

 

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

On 9/21/2025 at 11:29 AM, Von said:

Careful, it's addictive :-)

In all seriousness, I decided the more pleasant a place my shop is to work in, the more I enjoy woodworking, which in my case, as a hobbyist, is my goal (rather than production of any amount of product). As I suspect can be judged from my posts, I have no problem spending time on my shop.

 

A great purge has begun, and will continue until I'm better organized, or my wife figures out what I'm up to and says "If you're so interested in cleaning, how about you start IN THE HOUSE??!" 

[Tom King]

I was down at the beach cutting some 6x6 landscaping timbers that were in the back of my truck and couldn't easily find a square in my truck.  A sheet of paper worked fine for a square.  Actually, a NAPA invoice off the dashboard.  Far from fine woodworking, but plenty good enough for this job.

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

Any port in a storm, @Tom King!

[BillyJack]

That much for squares? What kinda woodworking you do that requires you to spend that much..

 

I can’t afford to woodwork anymore..

 

I probably have 10-15 framing, etc squares. None cost more than $15. I bought from Sears when it was open..

[Tom King]

I bought one of these long enough ago when they were $100.  That's by far the most expensive square I've ever put money into.  I have absolutely no need for one any "better".  I keep this one in a safe place but it comes in really handy sometimes.

https://chappellsquare.com/store/1824-Master-Framer-Framing-Square-p521681203

[Von]

On 10/3/2025 at 8:31 PM, Tom King said:

I bought one of these long enough ago when they were $100. 

I didn't now about Chappells. Look like nice stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Part of why I will spend the premium money on a good tool is I want to avoid the situation, as someone who still has large gaps in my experience, of being in situations where I don't know if it's me or the tool. I find it very frustrating when something isn't going well of being unsure on which side of the handle the problem lies. As I get more experienced, my understanding and ability to work with the limitations of tools is growing, but having chased my tail a couple of times trying to get big plywood cuts square it was worth it to me to pay for something I was confident was square enough to remove it as a variable.